FAQ
Frequently Ask Questions
Gorilla trekking is a wildlife activity that involves hiking up the tropical forests of Africa to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking is only done in three East African countries in the world namely Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo.
Gorilla trekking in Africa is at its best whole year round but the best time to trek gorillas is during the two dry seasons, December to February and June to September.
Mountain gorillas live on a high altitude in the mountains which requires you to hike up in order to reach them and these places can be slippery and hard to reach during rainy seasons.
Gorilla permits should and need to be booked in advance that is 3-5 months before the trekking date. The gorilla permits are very competitive especially in the high season June to September and December to February. This is one of the most frequently asked questions about gorilla trekking Uganda and Rwanda.
Gorilla permits in Uganda cost $700 for Foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and 250,000 Uganda shillings for east African citizens.
Gorilla habituation permits cost $1500 for foreign non-residents, $1000 for foreign residents and 750,000 Uganda shillings for East African residents.
This does not include the transportation from the registration and orientation site to the hiking departure point or trail head. This point may be up to 25 miles away. Your travel agency takes care of this. You may also want to tip your tour guide to keep them motivated.
There are 99% chances of seeing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat in Uganda and Rwanda. Part of the gorilla permit fees are used to hire gorilla trackers who go into the forest to keep monitoring the movements of the mountain gorillas.
The gorilla permit includes;
- 1 hour viewing gorillas once found
- Park entry fees for the day of trekking
- Park ranger/ guide fees
- Gorilla trackers fees
- Visitors security in the forest
In this regard, one of the frequently asked questions about gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is to let visitors know What a gorilla permit is? Gorilla permit is document that allows a visitor to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
The overall global population is now believed to be 1,063 mountain gorillas in the wild. Conservation efforts have led to an increase in overall population of the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) in the Virunga and at Bwindi.
Our last point on the most frequently asked questions about gorilla trekking Uganda or Rwanda is here! Going for a gorilla trip can be exciting but it’s always more enjoyable when you carry everything needed with you. Some of the items to pack for a gorilla trekking trip include;
- Comfortable clothes that is long sleeved shirts and long trousers
- Strong hiking shoes
- Rain jacket or sweater
- Hand gloves
- Sun glasses, sun screen, hat
- Energy giving snacks and enough drinking water
- Camera and enough batteries
The minimum age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. A few exceptions are available in Uganda where a child below 15 years can be allowed to track gorillas after seeking written permission to the authorities.
The age limit is 15 because children below that age may find it hard to positively deal with gorilla reactions like staying calm if gorillas charge and following the guidelines from park guides. Children below 15 years may not be emotionally and physically prepared to do gorilla trekking. These children are easily infected with diseases which may be passed on to gorillas.
In Rwanda the Cost of a gorilla permit is $1500 per person and per day for all International visitors. The minmum age limit to apply and book a gorilla permit is 15 years. Currently there is no Discounted gorilla permit in Rwanda but special offers are available to Rwandans and Residents in East african community.
Yes, it is possible to trek gorillas in Uganda via Rwanda. However you must check if land boarders are open to allow you across. Visitors can either fly from Kigali to Entebbe then take charter flights to Bwindi or Mgahinga national park or they can use road transport which takes about 4 hours from Kigali to Uganda gorilla parks. Therefore, Visitors can fly through Kigali International Airport and then connect to Uganda by road.
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